News, Announcements & Writings

The Belonging and Allyship Project, a congregation-wide effort to better align our commitments to being a welcoming congregation to all, especially people of color (for more context, reference Aurora Levins Morales’ powerful Yom Kippur update or some history from Rabbi Dev, here), has moved into the next phase, with many of the affinity groups hosting their first causes! (It’s not too late to join one, sign up here!).

In late August, approximately 30 people came together for the white privilege caucus, facilitiated by Penny Rosenwasser, SAM Luckey, Susan Schulman, Matt Leber and Julie Aronowitz. The energy was palpable, and participants shared both their nervousness about participating in such a group, and hope about what might be able to come of the work we might be able to do together. People also shared the power of doing this work inside of Kehilla, of the significance – and holiness – of working to make Kehilla a community that lives more fully into its vision of embracing all. All together and in small groups we shared about our own familys’ roots, Jewish and non; of moments when we have felt fully seen by communities we’ve been a part of and what made that possible. We also shared about those whose work to address white supremacy inspires us, and about what we’d like to do together as this caucuses.

The group brainstormed a number of potential initiatives that will hopefully get underway in coming months, and will meet again as a large group on December 13th. To learn more or get involved, email JulieAronowitz@gmail.com.